IAVAT History      
The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 promoted a new kind of education for many high school of the country. Federal funds, on a matching basis, were to be made available to those high schools that would organize and conduct classes in agriculture over a 12-month period; and, hire a qualified teacher to conduct these classes on a "learn-by-doing" basis. By 1920, one hundred high schools were organized under the provisions of the Smith-Hughes Act and the directives of the Illinois State Board of Vocational Education.

As is true of many new educational ventures, numerous individuals questioned their purposes and merits. In the case of vocational agriculture education, much of this reaction was due to a lack of understanding of the new program's objectives and how the program would meet the educational needs of rural high school youth.
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State Leadership      
IAVAT leadership is made up of a Board of Directors, consisting of a past president, president, vice president, treasurer, and a district director representing each of the five districts in the state of Illinois. Each district consists of five sections, each with a section chair.

Historical Leaders      
Historical leaders includes past IAVAT Presidents and Excellence in Teaching Award winners.

Committees      
IAVAT members have the opportunity to serve on one of eleven state committees for a three-year term, determined at district meetings during the annual IAVAT conference.

IAVAT Membership Resources      
Includes types of memberships and dues structures and packages.